Uncovering the Women Of Yoga: Part 1

Labanya Palit, 1955

Greetings from Kolkata!

I am nearly done with the first research trip exploring the forgotten women of yoga. It has been incredibly fruitful and already there is so much to piece together. 

We have discovered a complete work by Labanya Palit from 1955! She was a student of Bishnu Charan Ghosh and we were able to find a copy of her book in the National Library. In the 60 years it has been here, it has never been checked out before! Her time period, from about 1940-1960, has been somewhat of a mystery to us. This book by Labanya Palit fills an important gap in our knowledge and our history.

Mantosh Chowdhury & Ida Jo

I also met with Mantosh Chowdhury, one of BC Ghosh's most prominent students and demonstrators in the 60s. He knew Labanya and generously shared some details about her life.

​He also knew Reba Rakshit, who was unique in the fact that she was a strongwoman. She was the first woman to take an elephant on her chest and performed other feats of strength with the circus. Chandrima Pal, my research assistant, was able to track down an essay she wrote. From there, more details will unfold. 

In a wonderfully typical Kolkata experience I was able to find the home where Reba Rakshit lived later in her life.  The address I had was this: "Across from the college, in the apartment near the guy who irons at his kiosk." That was enough! The ironing man is still there, and the doorman at the apartment remembered her. A young man was entering the building and asked if I was looking for something. He agreed to be "Watson" (he said I was Sherlock) and helped me get some details. 

​This project will certainly be extensive because as one story unfolds another emerges. Stay tuned. This is just the beginning.